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Eyeglass frames
Finding frames that fit your face and your life.
Frames come in many materials and styles. The right pair feels light, stays put and suits your prescription.
Pick the style, then the material.
Frames are full rim, half rim or rimless, and they are made from plastics like acetate, metals like titanium, or flexible blends. Your optician can help you balance looks, comfort and how well the frame holds your lenses.
Common frame materials.
Acetate
Plastic frames in rich colors and patterns.
Titanium
Very light and strong, often used for rimless.
Memory metal
Bends and springs back to shape.
Nylon blends
Light, flexible and tough; common in sport.
Mixed materials
Metal fronts with plastic temples, or the reverse.
Rimless
Lenses are drilled and held with small parts.
Fit matters most
Good fit beats a famous logo.
Frames should sit level, rest comfortably on your nose and not pinch behind the ears. An optician can adjust most frames for a better fit.
Your prescription plays a part.
Strong prescriptions often look and feel best in full-rim frames with smaller lenses, which help hide lens thickness.
Questions to ask when choosing frames.
Thick lenses?
Ask how the frame size affects thickness.
Is it adjustable?
Most frames can be tuned for a better fit.
Any metal sensitivity?
Mention it so you can choose the right material.
Match the frame to how you live.
Little things that help frames fit.
Small accessories can keep glasses comfortable and in place.
Keep exploring.
Fast answers.
Are designer frames better quality?
Not always. Many brands come from a few large eyewear companies. Fit, materials and construction matter more than the logo.
What is the lightest kind of frame?
Titanium and rimless designs are among the lightest. Your optician can show you options in your size.
Can I put new lenses in my old frames?
Often yes, if the frame is in good shape. Ask your optician to check it first.
Why do my glasses keep sliding down?
They may need an adjustment. Nose pads and temple tips can also be changed to improve grip.
Get help choosing your next frames.
Visit an eye care practice near you to try on frames and have them fitted to your face and prescription.
Back to eyeglasses and eyewear
Sources and notes
- Laramy-K Optical: Lens edging and frame styles
- Flexon: Memory metal frames
- EMS-Grivory: Polyamides for eyewear
- Silhouette: Frame materials
- Showroom and exam-room photography are owned Eye Care Advisors assets approved for use by Vision Rescue. Product photos are Vision Rescue catalog images.
- Brand names are trademarks of their owners and are listed for education only, not as endorsements.
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Only an eye care professional who has examined you can recommend what is right for your eyes.
